Hockey

USA Hockey: Next Generation

Step into the future of the game with USA Hockey: Next Generation — the official podcast spotlighting the rising stars, innovative minds, and evolving culture of hockey across the country. Each episode dives into the stories shaping tomorrow’s game, from youth and adult players to coaches, officials, and trailblazers driving change at every level. Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a weekend warrior, or just discovering the sport, join us for inspiring interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and fresh perspectives on how hockey is growing, adapting, and thriving in communities nationwide.

Latest Episodes:

Ben Barr: Get 10% Better Every Day, On and Off the Ice Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description:
University of Maine head coach Ben Barr joins hosts Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry to discuss player development, coaching, and navigating a changing collegehockey landscape. Barr shares lessons from Shattuck-St. Mary’s and UMass, including what he learned from coaching Cale Makar, and explains why work ethic, character, academics, communication, and finding the right fit matter.His advice for players and parents: focus on what you can control today and let young athletes learn from both success and failure.

Key Points from This Episode:
3:50 Supporting players through adversity and focusing on the present

6:42 Barr’s path to Shattuck-St. Mary’s

9:13 The work ethic and character behind top players

11:44 Cale Makar’s time at UMass and helping transform theprogram

16:15 Building a team culture where players make thingsbetter for each other

20:01 Skills and mindset young defensemen can develop

23:24 Recruiting, communication, and finding the rightcollege fit

26:40 Competing amid college hockey’s changing financiallandscape

29:11 Advice for young players navigating college hockeypathways

33:56 Why academics can open recruiting opportunities

39:40 How Barr has grown as a head coach

43:11 Barr’s advice for players and parents -includingletting kids learn through failure

46:25 Rapid-fire questions and Maine’s Frozen Four ambitions

Links:
USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠
University of Maine Hockey: https://goblackbears.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

Growing the Game from the Ground Up with Matt Herr Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description: Matt Herr, the NHL’s Senior Director of Youth Hockey and Industry Growth Fund, joins the USA Hockey Next Generation podcast to explain why the league is investing in Learn to Play and NHL Ready to Play. Hosts Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore talk with him about the NHL and USA Hockey partnership, keeping the base of the pyramid wide, and why the real goal for parents is a kid who still loves the game. The episode also covers coaching, volunteering, street hockey, refereeing, and work ethic.Key Points from This Episode:0:06 Welcome and host catch-up3:10 Matt's playing career and path to the NHL5:44 How the NHL supports USA Hockey, including the Industry Growth Fund7:26 Why the NHL moved into grassroots and NHL Ready to Play9:27 Coaching every player differently, and why you don't want to be a player's last coach11:27 Parents who can't skate and the many volunteer roles12:54 Keeping the pyramid wide and the NHL's growth in new markets16:08 No rush:parent anxiety and the real ROI17:59 Street hockey and other ways to love the game20:16 Why Matt took up refereeing23:15 The funniest Learn to Play moment24:13 Playing in Germany and the NHL's international growth25:09 How parents and players can help their programs26:55 Hosts' takeawaysLinks:USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Shelly Picard: Building Better Hockey Players Through Fun and Discipline Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description:

This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with formerOlympian, Harvard standout, and Princeton assistant coach Shelly Picard aboutyouth hockey development and the value of enjoying where you play. Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry focus on a simple idea that comes through repeatedly: the best path is the one that helps a player grow, feel supported, and want to keepshowing up.

Key Points from This Episode:

00:00 - Welcome and why Shelly Picard is such a meaningfulguest

03:29 - Introducing Shelly Picard and her background in thegame

04:36 - Growing up in Massachusetts and choosing prep schoolhockey

08:01 - The discipline and fun balance that defined Shelly’sgame

09:40 - Parent-led ownership and the “take one thing” lessonfrom national camp

12:52 - Lindsay on how Shelly’s role model mentality shapedher development

14:52 - Building a roster like a puzzle and valuing roleplayers

15:21 - Shelly’s shutdown defender identity and what shelearned from it

18:15 - Why coaches still see players at tournaments,showcases, and camps

22:44 - What Shelly thought coaching would be like versusreality

24:41 - Player pushback, respect, and coach-playerrelationships

27:17 - How the PWHL has changed the landscape for youngplayers

33:43 - NIL, the transfer portal, and how college sportshave changed

38:15 - Managing ice time, rest, and summer training load

41:43 - Rapid-fire questions

48:42 - Final takeaway for players and parents: joy,ownership, and support

51:19 - Closing thoughts on Shelly’s impact and the corelesson of the episode

Links:

USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

USA Hockey Development League: First Invited Programs Revealed Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

USA Hockey introduces its new Development League (DL) on this episode of the USA Hockey Next Gen Podcast. Host Dave Fischer is joined by Scott Paluch, who will serve as DL Commissioner, and Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development, to discuss why the league was created, how programs were selected, and what its launch means for American hockey.

#usahockey #developmentleague #teamusa

Rod Braceful on Recruiting, Development, and the NTDP Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description:

Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore sit down with Rod Braceful,senior director of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, to breakdown how the NTDP develops players, evaluates talent, and prepares teenagersfor hockey and life. The conversation also digs into how the changing collegehockey landscape is affecting recruiting, and why the program still emphasizescharacter, drive, and versatility over pure skill.

Key Points From This Episode:

00:00 - Welcome to the podcast and Rod’s role with the NTDP

05:10 - How NCAA changes are making recruiting morecompetitive

17:22 - How to choose between a better player today and abetter player later

24:00 - What a full NTDP day looks like and the life skillsplayers learn

29:19 - What parents and players should start, stop, andcontinue doing

34:10 - Why late bloomers and overlooked players still havea real path

37:30 - Rapid-fire questions and Rod’s bestplayer-development advice

38:57 - How NHL teams should rethink player developmentafter drafting

41:14 - Closing thoughts on camaraderie, development, andprogram success
Links:

USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

USA Hockey National Development Team Program: https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Mike Garman on Development, Recruiting, and the Path to the Next Level Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description:
In this episode, Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry sit down with Mike Garman, Associate Head Hockey Coach at Notre Dame and former head coach and general manager of the Chicago Steel, to discuss recruiting, player development, and the mental side of hockey success. They explore how young players can continue to improve, why versatility is such a valuable asset, and how parents can best support their kids throughout their hockey journey.
Key Points From This Episode:

00:00 - Season 2 begins: what listeners can expect from thepodcast

01:36 - Why college recruiting and NIL make Mike’sperspective timely

02:39 - Lindsay’s recruiting path and the importance ofeducation

04:43 - Drew’s path through the national development programand University of Denver

05:31 - Why academics can narrow college hockeyopportunities

06:20 - Introducing Mike from Notre Dame

07:09 - How a temporary goalie-coach role became a coachingcareer

10:03 - What set elite USHL players apart beyond talent

11:32 - Balancing strengths with weakness development

13:22 - Teaching players to think the game and make the nextplay

17:34 - Recruiting timelines and why grades matter so much

19:30 - Late bloomers and why 16 is not the whole story

20:29 - What college coaches look for in a recruit

22:44 - Work ethic, attitude, and competing through mistakes

23:50 - How parents should think about development foryounger players

26:39 - Where families should invest limited resources

29:47 - Do 3-on-3 and small-area games create bad habits?

32:02 - Shooting habits that create better goal-scoringchances

37:30 - Training game-like situations and using incentivesin practice

39:22 - Why versatility at multiple positions increasesopportunity

41:41 - Notre Dame freshman Sammy Nelson and rapid firebegins

42:36 - Why trying to fool college coaches is a bad idea

46:01 - Post-interview reflections from Lindsay and Drew

48:00 - Why recovery after mistakes matters more thanperfection

51:13 - Top takeaways for parents and players

Links:

USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Insights from Ken Martel: USA Hockey’s Player & Coach Development Vision May 26, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description: In this episode, Ken Martel, Senior Director of Player and Coach Development at USA Hockey, shares his extensive experience on building a resilient, versatile, and player-centered hockey culture. We dive into how development strategies have evolved, the importance of multi-sport participation, and the future of hockey player development.Key Points From This Episode:00:00 - Introduction: Ken Martel’s role and background in USA Hockey00:47 - Ken reflects on his journey from player to coach and organizational leader02:30 - Evolution of the U.S. national development program and its greater capacity for coaching03:44 - Impact of technology and tailored player development in the NTDP04:54 - USA Hockey’s philosophy on athlete and coach development as a systemic approach08:52 - Balancing competition and learning in youth hockey11:27 - Building confidence and retention through process-oriented coaching12:31 - Addressing coaching strategies for players with varied skill backgrounds15:49 - The rationale behind the creation of the American Development Model in response to participation challenges19:58 - The role of small-sided, live-action games in skill and decision-making development22:55 - Clarifying the difference between technique and skill execution in game settings25:12 - Developing versatility through positional changes and embracing discomfort29:36 - The importance of multi-sport participation for athletic adaptability35:01 - The value of exposing young players to multiple environments for long-term growth43:09 - Selecting and cultivating future coaching talent in USA Hockey44:42 - The qualities that make a coach stand out, beyond technical skills48:47 - Key attributes for young athletes: resilience and perseverance49:13 - The fulfilling aspects of USA Hockey’s mission to serve and help players and coaches50:39 - Closing remarks: the importance of collaboration and continuous growthLinks:USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Breaking Barriers: Growing Deaf & Hard of Hearing Hockey May 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of theUSA Hockey Next Gen podcast, Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore are joined by Kevin Delaney, USA Hockey’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing representative and president of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association. Kevin shares his personal journeygrowing up in the game with hearing loss and how that led to a lifelong commitment to growing accessibility in hockey. The conversation examines how Deaf and Hard of Hearing hockey operates, the importance of communication andinclusion, and the role coaches and programs play in creating supportive environments. Kevin also discusses the history and impact of AHIHA, the growth of the Deaf national teams, and his vision for expanding opportunities—especially on the women’s side—while continuing to build a strong, connected hockey community.

Key Points From ThisEpisode:

[00:00:30] Introduction of hosts and overview ofthe episode featuring Kevin Delaney.

[00:01:39] Kevin Delaney’s role and the missionof Deaf and Hard of Hearing hockey.

[00:03:47] Explanation of Deaf and Hard ofHearing hockey classifications and participation guidelines.

[00:05:38] Importance of accessibility,communication methods, and inclusion beyond equipment.

[00:07:04] Kevin’s playing background andtransition into coaching and leadership.

[00:08:30] Impact of hockey camps in buildingcommunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing players and families.

[00:10:26] Evolution of coaching philosophy andadapting communication for individual athletes.

[00:12:06] History andfounding of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA).

[00:13:00] Growth of the hockey school and itsrole in developing national team players.

[00:17:19] Kevin’s role within USA Hockey andefforts to expand awareness and participation.

[00:20:46] Creating inclusive environments andfostering a sense of belonging for all players.

[00:23:18] Story of athlete development andconfidence gained through Deaf hockey programs.

[00:26:15] Vision for the future, includinggrowth of women’s Deaf hockey internationally.

[00:28:16] Advice for Deaf and Hard of Hearingplayers and families in mainstream hockey.

[00:29:24] Key changes in Deaf hockey, includingincreased participation and technology advancements.

[00:30:53] Influential Deaf athletes and leadersmaking an impact on and off the ice.

[00:32:06] Closing reflections on inclusion,growth, and continuing to build accessible hockey communities.

Links:

USA Hockey- ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠

Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠

Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Hockey, Beaches, and Big Wins: Inside the 2026 USA Hockey Long Drink Women’s National Championships Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Key Points From This Episode:[00:00] Introduction to the USA Hockey Next Generation Podcast and overview of the episode. [00:00:26] Host Lindsay Fry introduces guest Laura Verheranta. [00:00:50] Laura shares a look into her team, the LA Lions, and their Nationals experience. [00:01:04] Discussion of team vibe, fun, and the benefits of the one‑game‑per‑day schedule. [00:01:24] What motivates adult players to attend Nationals and memorable moments like beach trips. [00:01:53] Shark‑tooth hunting and exploring local Florida activities. [00:02:14]Team strategies, game forecasting, and embracing the full tournament experience. [00:02:31] Introduction of guest Tori Pizzuto and her double‑rostering journey. [00:02:43] Tori explains the benefits of playing on multiple teams and the strength of long‑standing community ties. [00:03:34] Why she returns each year and how competition levels have evolved. [00:04:18] Comparing this tournament to others, highlighting camaraderie and competitive seriousness. [00:04:49] How teams prepare, scout, and approach Nationals with a competitive mindset. [00:05:36] Introduction of Kenzie from the Carolina Lady Hurricanes and her team’s recent success. [00:05:56] Kenzie discusses feeling physically and emotionally “hot” and confident during the event. [00:07:20] Kenzie’s year‑round hockey routine across multiple leagues and why consistent play matters. [00:08:00] Game strategy, team chemistry, and pre‑game plans — including off‑ice bonding. [00:08:33] Closing remarks and well wishes for the tournament, emphasizing camaraderie and fun.Links: USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

Building the Future: Bob Mancini on USA Hockey’s Development Pathway Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of USA Hockey’s Next Generation Podcast, hosts Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry sit down with Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development at USA Hockey. Bob shares his journey from high-performance coaching to leading grassroots development and helping launch the American Development Model (ADM). The conversation covers the evolution of the ADM, the long-term approach to player development, the origins and impact of the National Team Development Program (NTDP), and the upcoming USA Hockey Development League. Bob also discusses global collaboration, coaching education, and how USA Hockey is expanding access while preparing players for success at every level.

Key Points From This Episode:

[00:00:00] Introduction of Bob Mancini and his role as Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development.

[00:05:45] Bob reflects on shifting from high-performance coaching to a grassroots, player-centered mindset.

[00:08:00] How the ADM has evolved from a technique-heavy focus to emphasizing game-applicable skill.

[00:10:55] What practices looked like before the ADM and the shift away from line drills to active, station-based training.

[00:14:26] The importance of long-term development and viewing each athlete as “an experiment of one.”

[00:18:28] The origins of the NTDP and its role in elevating U.S. performance on the world stage.

[00:25:20] The depth of American talent today and how development pathways have expanded.

[00:26:34] Patrick Kane’s story as the last player selected to the NTDP and a reminder that development is not linear.

[00:29:15] Overview of the USA Hockey Development League and its purpose within the high-performance pathway.

[00:32:17] Launch timeline, age groups (15U and 17U), and development-focused structure of the Development League.

[00:37:56] Collaboration with international federations and the value of a growth mindset in development.

[00:42:39] Expanding access to the game through initiatives like Try Hockey for Free and multi-sport advocacy.

[00:48:41] The critical importance of coaching at younger age groups and early introduction versus specialization.

[00:52:57] “The most important age group is the one the child is in” — reinforcing the value of development at every stage.

Links:

USA Hockey -⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠⁠

Drew Shore -⁠ ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠⁠

Lindsey Fry -⁠ ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠⁠

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